I'm not actually doing anything tonight, just chilling at home waiting for the ball drop. Same as last year. But that did not stop me from getting all dressed up earlier today with what I would wear if I were doing something. Just like last year! This is why I love blogging. I can wear stuff even if I have nowhere to go.

I have been waiting for the most minimal drop in temperature on NYE for years just to be able to wear this embellished vintage sweater that belonged to my mom. She's not sure if it's from the 80s or 90s. Love the little snowflake pattern. I paired it with this Champagne High Waist Pleated Flare Skirtfrom Romwe that I got in the spring (now on sale for $27.99). I also bought these iridescent statement drop earrings from The Limited during a recent 75% off sale because I knew they'd go really well with this outfit. And then of course there's my beautiful gaudy glitter heels from Steve Madden which I bought on sale on Black Friday (still going for the sale price here). Finally I added my Jessica McClintock Christiana Ball Mesh Minaudierewhich I also wore in last year's NYE post.

Today I am ending the year with a bang with this massive post on Island Girl Miami, shot in September but posted in December for the familiar reasons you already know (two jobs, full-time therapist, part-time blogger, yadda yadda yadda).

Hi, hello! It's almost Christmas but here I am with a post from September. My blogging was so spotty in the second half of this year--I didn't even get to finish my Euro cruise posts. With my new job and a bunch of other (mostly good) stuff that's been happening, I haven't had much time for my favorite hobby. Usually I don't have time to take outfit photos, but now I have the opposite problem with way too many photos that need to be edited for way too many posts that need to be made!

Love me some Kate Spade, particularly her bags and earrings. I've been after these multi-color Kate Spade earrings for the past three years and I finally got them! When I went to go get them I saw most of these earrings at Macy's too, and boy did I want them all. Good thing I have a style blog-- if I can't have something irl, I shall document their existence and have them here!

It's not kind to rejoice in anyone's death but the Cuban exile community had been waiting for Castro's demise or death for almost 60 years. The rest of the world may think of El Che and Fidel Castro as heroic revolutionaries, but we know better. Castro was a tyrant who ruled through oppression and propaganda. He and his cronies, like El Che, executed thousands of innocents by firing squad and jailed countless others simply because they opposed them. Castro took away people's hard-earned businesses and properties, my grandpa, mi viejito lindo, being one of them. He brought sugar and all other production to a standstill, made it difficult for people to find and afford food, and brought a previously economically successful country to depend on foreign aid from the Soviets, and when that didn't pan out, oil from Venezuela. He made it illegal for people to leave the country, forcing millions of people to flee via makeshift rafts. Those who were lucky left while it was still legal or as young children in the "Peter Pan" Operation, in which parents made the desperate decision to send their children to the states alone. My mom was supposed to be one of them but my grandma backed out. Instead they came in one of the "Freedom Flights" of the 60s and 70s but she and my grandpa had to "buy" their way through forced agricultural labor for three years. My dad came in the 80s through the Mariel boatlift, the last time Fidel opened the floodgates for all those "gusanos" (pejorative term meaning "worms" to refer to those who opposed the communist regime) who wanted to leave. The raft phenomenon really exploded in the 90s and continues to this day. So many lives have been lost at sea, including Elian Gonzalez's mother who risked her life to bring her son to this country. Of course, the United States government sided with the communist father and returned the child to Cuba, where he was indoctrinated and made a national symbol and spokesperson for the merits of the regime. His mother's death was in vain.

Castro was a tyrant who ruled through oppression and propaganda.

And what are these so-called merits of the revolution? Well, there's the fabulous health and education systems that Cuba boasts about. The world has swallowed this particular propaganda hook, line, and sinker. You see, supposing that Cuba has an excellent education system that has produced many doctors, nurses, engineers, etc., those doctors are exported to other countries such as Venezuela in exchange for their oil, and they love it because it's one way out. Everyone else who earns a professional degree ends up working in the tourism industry, whether at hotels or as drivers and so on, because there they can earn American dollars, which actually has real purchasing power in Cuba as opposed to their peso. As for the quality of Cuba's healthcare... It's laughable what they claim. The hospitals are often in unsanitary conditions and always in dire need of medication and supplies, which are regularly sent to Cuba as remittances from American family members.

So as soon as my dad and I learned that Castro had really died this time (he "died" so many times since 2006), we went straight to the unofficial headquarters of the Cuban exile community: Versailles Restaurant. Never mind that it was 2 am-- the mayor had already asked the police to close off that section of Calle Ocho so that people could gather. The city apparently had a "Castro is dead" planfor years, and it was finally happening. We stayed until 3:30 am, and the next day we went back for more.

Cuban Hipster-- check out that 'stache.

There were several Venezuelans celebrating in solidarity.

Me and Saavedra, a figure known to many in the Cuban exile community here in Miami. He's extremely vocal at Versailles and is often interviewed by the press anytime something happens with Cuba.

Speaking of the press, my dad was interviewed by a Japanese reporter. It was an international reporting event at good ol' Versailles.

Cuba was in official mourning for 9 days, culminating in the burial of Castro's supposed ashes yesterday. There are many videos showcasing the grief and devastation of his commie supporters. But behind those mourning his loss in front of the cameras are people who had to show face at these events or they'd risk outing themselves as opposers, which could lead to trouble with el comité (watchdog type neighborhood groups with eyes and ears everywhere), their workplace, the government.

Yes we were celebrating Castro's death, but we were also celebrating in hopes of a new Cuba, one that is free to pursue economic, religious, and political freedoms it has been denied for 6 decades. Let's see what happens for my motherland now. Opening up the island to American tourism and business, plus this guy's death-- let's hope Cuba can make a new name for itself beyond the legacy of this communist mafioso who oppressed and murdered his people, reaped in all the benefits (he was reportedly worth $900 million-- talk about a humble communist), and conned the world.

My only regret is that mi viejito lindo and so many others died too early to see this day.

_____________

And hey, thanks for reading. Because this is a style blog... Here are my outfit details.

Longest Shoesday Tuesday I've ever done but I just couldn't stop myself once I started browsing these Nikes. Having "shoe game" is one of the most important superficial things for a born and bred Miami native. I have never been part of this club, because I've always preferred girlier shoes and I've also never had a reason to. But ever since I joined the gym in the summer I've been eyeing all the pretty workout gear on the bodies of people I will never look like. If I can't have their butts, at least I can have their workout clothes amirite? (No but seriously, the internal social comparison at the gym is not as intense as I imagined it'd be. Halleluyah).

South Florida took Hurricane Matthew very seriously. We are a party people, but when it comes to hurricanes we know the importance of preparing (and maybe throwing a hurricane party indoors). But it ended up missing Miami-Dade County entirely. We've had worse storms this year that weren't hurricanes. Still, most offices closed here as of yesterday afternoon and everything else shut down today (rightfully so). Meaning that I had nothing to do but sleep, watch Netflix, and put together this rain-inspired Fun Stuff Friday because, though I hate rainy and stormy days, I do love rain gear!

&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;
I LOOOVE all these jackets. I actually don't own a rain jacket... or a bubble umbrella, which I've always wanted. Hmmm....

&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;

&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;

I do own the red TOMS (here's an outfit post with themand some recent photos below) and I get tons of compliments every time I wear them! Which is a lot, because it's always raining here. I wore them to work yesterday and 3 people complimented me on them and asked me where they're from. They're only $59, and the best part is they fit my wide calves!

Well, thanks for reading! Hope you liked my rainy day gear. And stay safe out there, northern FL, GA, and the Carolinas!

Well hello! I started my new job and have fallen behind on my Mediterranean cruise sharing extravaganza. Today is all about our excursion from the port at Piraeus to Sounion and Athens. I begin with the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion and then we move on to the wonderful buildings of the Acropolis in Athens.

The beautiful Temple of Poseidon, as seen from the eastern side

For Athens and Pompeii I wanted to wear something very anthropologist-like. I was an anthro major in college, so it makes total sense. I went with this breezy blouse with an interesting print to it-- reminded me of the patterns in Ancient Greek vases. Such a nerdy thought process now that I think of it. I just really like matching my outfits to the places I'm visiting. Lol. Then I went for this white scarf with tassels from Francesca's, because it just seemed like something my archaeology professor (the amazing Dr. Geller) would have worn. The distressed jeans I did more for the modern aesthetic of Athens. I also added some dangly leaf earrings (like the leaves in the ancient Greek crowns!) which you can see in a selfie below, some aviator sunglasses (because aviators are the official explorer sunglasses in my mind), and my gray TOMS for comfort. Yeah, I take this travel dressing thing really seriously. 😂

So apparently this collection has been out since March but I'm just now discovering it.

I was Minnie Mouse for Halloween in 1992 (a cute little toddler Minnie Mouse I was) and I guess you could say that's where my love for Minnie started. These Minnie creations are perfect for a trip to Disney but would also work great to add to your Minnie costumes on Halloween. My two-year-old-self would approve. Especially of that shiny clutch. 😍

Our cruise stopped in Toulon, France but we opted to take the Aix-en-Provence and Marseille tour. There were also options for Nice or St. Tropez. I had never been to the south of France and I am a huge Francophile so I would have loved any and all of these places. But this excursion was not my favorite because it left us such little time in beautiful Marseille.

These outfit photos were taken atop the Notre Dame de la Garde. It is SO windy up there! Marseille in general is apparently infamous for its winds. I feel like I should have known that as a huge Francophile but I did not! This was in May so I went for this Maison Jules blue floral print dress which photographed well but I kept flashing everyone the whole time. There's strong breeze down below but up at the top of Marseille it is seriously gusty.

As with my previous travel posts, I begin with the outfit photos and details and then show you some of my favorite photos and moments.

So earlier today my mom brought to my attention the most recent J. Crew catalog, and we were stunned by these stunning beauties. Look at them. They're stunning.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt;

I mean, they're all crazy expensive and out of our budget (except the blue-gray ones which come in at a comfy $80). Still, I felt I had to make a last minute Shoesday Tuesday in honor of these heeled beauties. Perfect for fall and winter. Sure to be a conversation piece wherever you take them. I'd splurge on them if I had a life outside of work. Maybe I will again someday.

I had zero preconceived expectations for Dubrovnik because I didn't know much about it, other than it being the site of King's Landing on Game of Thrones. I am a HUGE GoT fan so I was pretty excited about this port. Well, it turns out I was absolutely captivated by the medieval magic of Old Town, which is everything you see inside the walls. The Middle Ages are my favorite history period, and because Old Town is perfectly preserved (or carefully reconstructed in some parts), I was having all kinds of history ogasms, as I playfully call it. I can see why it was chosen as a filming location for Game of Thrones. Now every time I watch it I'm always on the lookout for familiar views. And while I was there I was also trying to figure out which scenes were filmed where.

So because this photo diary is so massive, I've divided it into sections. I'll start with my outfit + details and then take you through my day.

*My fellow GoT nerds: Keep scrolling near the end for a whole section on GoT.*

So I read this Buzzfeed article about ankle boots and it inspired me to dedicate this week's Shoesday Tuesday (first one in a long time!) to my undying love for this shoe. So I went on a virtual window shopping kick and gathered these gorgeous picks for (mostly) under $100.

Make sure you click on the arrow below to see there are two more pages!

<br />

These are the real winners though-- an unexpected floral print in rich tones, perfect for Miami "fall." Got them straight from the Buzzfeed article and then I stalked the Instagram of the girl who took this photo to see where they were from. They're from Asos. You're welcome.

A lot of the boots above are from Asos, actually.

And looky here, I'm currently hosting a $1000 Asos giveaway! Enter for your chance to win!

There's a lot of us but you don't have to follow everyone. But the more you do the more entries you get.

So I'm FINALLY getting around to sharing my outfits and favorite photos from my Mediterranean cruise in May and June, which I went on with one of my lifelong best friends. I decided to start with Mykonos even though it was the 4th port we went to because my outfit was very spring/summery so I wanted to put it out there first, before I get into the more fall-appropriate posts.

This day was a memorable one to say the least-- we were dead tired from the activity of the previous few days so we woke up around 11 am, which is SUPER LATE when you're on a cruise! We had to be back on the ship by 3:30 or 4:30 (can't remember) so we didn't have much time on the island and never quite made it to Paradise Beach. But we still managed to explore the little streets and have some Greek food and take tons of pretty pictures of the beautiful blue and white surroundings!

Disclosure

Earnestyle uses affiliate product links in every post and some ads in the blog's sidebar. This means that if you click one of these links or an ad I will earn a very tiny commission. If you purchase an item I will earn a somewhat larger commission. All sponsored content included in the blog are for products or retailers that are featured in a post or for items that I would purchase myself. Items marked as "c/o" (courtesy of) were provided to me for free.